[ZESTCaste] Normality returns to Sankarankoil

An uneasy calm prevails at Sankarankoil which witnessed a pitchedbattle on Tuesday night between two communities though the situationis fully under control with people going about their business as usualon Wednesday, thanks to police action.

Police are probing the presence of a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member,who was walking along with the Dalits during the procession anddisappeared before the riot broke out.

Apart from arresting 19 persons, including Sankarankoil municipality'sDMK councillor N. Syed Ibrahim (42) of ward 17 — all allegedlyinvolved in the clash and also in the arson in which 15 shops weredestroyed — police are on the lookout for more rioters. Fifteenpersons, including five police personnel, who were injured in theclash, are undergoing treatment in hospitals.

"Based on the information we've collected so far, a massive hunt is onto nab all those who were involved in the clash," said DeputyInspector-General Police, Tirunelveli Range, V. Varadharaju.

Over 800 policemen have been deployed at Sankarankoil and the entry ofthe community leaders into the riot-affected town has been banned.Consequently, all business establishments, except those run by acommunity, remained open throughout the day and all educationalinstitutions functioned normally.

With the police patrolling Sankarankoil town, normality returned onWednesday morning with town and mofussil buses plying as scheduled.

When a small group of people resorted to stone pelting, the policechased them away. Strong police forces were deployed near places ofworship.

Though the police initially denied permission for offerings at atemple, Mr. Bidari, who ensured a strong police deployment there,allowed it later but refused permission to the Dalits to take out aprocession prior to the ritual.

When Revenue Divisional Officer Elangovan invited five representativesfrom both sides for reconciliatory talks scheduled to be held at theTaluk Office, the community heads reportedly told the revenueofficials that they would discuss the issue and the subsequent arrestsmade by the police in their meetings first and then attend the meetingto be conducted by officials.